What Should I Recycle?

Helping our environment can start at home easily.  All you have to do is this:  Next time you go to throw something in the garbage ask yourself "Is this recyclable?" If it is, then put it in a separate bag so that it can eventually be re-used and eliminate the need to destroy more natural resources.  Otherwise it will rot in a landfill taking up space when it could have served a greater purpose!

Not sure what is recyclable?  Here is a list to get you started, bookmark it and refer to it whenever necessary.

Also: It is very helpful to separate paper goods from metal, glass and plastic.  Having 2 bags makes it easier for the people who pick up and deliver the recyclable goods to get them to the proper place.

Aluminum Cans - Soda (or pop, or coke, depending on where you come from) cans


Steel or Tin Cans - soup cans, coffee cans, veggie cans, etc.


Newspaper


Cardboard - shipping and packaging boxes, shoe boxes, pizza boxes, cracker boxes, cereal boxes (remove inner bag), cardboard egg cartons, tissue boxes, empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, etc.


Magazines - office paper, notebook paper


Paper - coupons, brochures, printer paper, phone books, used envelopes, junk mail, wrapping paper, paper grocery bags, drinking cups, file folders, etc.

Plastics - milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, water bottles, yogurt containers, cottage cheese containers, etc. Look for plastics labeled with PETE 1 and HDPE 2 symbols (usually at the bottom of containers - these symbols mean they are recyclable, 1-7 is recyclable but 3-7 are not accepted at all recycle plants).


Glass - jars, beer bottles, wine bottles, etc.  Do not attempt to recycle mirrors, mercury products are not recyclable.


Printer Cartridges -  Most people throw away old printer cartridges, which is a huge contributer in landfills today.


Aerosol Cans - Must be completely empty